Your opinion on Skate Canada

[4everchan]

proven already. some people have carefully explained that
1) the tech panel was pro-american and affected greatly their BV
2) each judge seemed to be marking their own team better than the average score

so for those who think that being at home made it an easy win, it didn't... it was only thanks to a very good SD that they managed this win...

what else do you need to prove that they belong? Isn't winning a competition that is judged by international judges, with 4 of the best teams in the world competing, with and adverse tech panel enough?

What else are you waiting for?

You know what? I am OK with them being back. It's not that they care about me being OK, but it's still my right to say it. If they prove they can fairly compete on equal terms with everybody, without the free credit of being THE V/M, then the fans will benefit of having yet another incredible team to watch. But first the have to prove. Just like everybody else.

 

[Mango]

You know what? If they can prove they can fairly compete on equal terms with everybody, without the free credit of being THE V/M, then the fans will benefit of having yet another incredible team to watch. But first the have to prove. Just like everybody else.

Did you watch them at Autumn Classic?

 

[rvi5]

...The only rink I've had no issues with is the ACC but that's the largest rink in Ontario so...

It is at the main Toronto transportation hub servicing the TTC subway, buses and street cars, GO commuter trains, GO buses, and VIA inter-city trains. I never drive there, no need.

 

[Manitou]

Did you watch them at Autumn Classic?

Why are you asking?

Anyway, I think they got their marks for being V/M and that was undeserved. But that's my opinion. The true test for them will be in Sapporo when they clash directly with P/C. Can't wait! It will be a feast!

 

[Mango]

Why are you asking?

Anyway, I think they got their marks for being V/M and that was undeserved. But that's my opinion. The true test for them will be in Sapporo when they clash directly with P/C. Can't wait! It will be a feast!

Because they were a lot better there. Nearly perfect. You can begin to see their marks progression. If you just watched them here and came to bash, that's cool too. But the whole picture is a bit different.

 

[4everchan]

Why are you asking?

Anyway, I think they got their marks for being V/M and that was undeserved. But that's my opinion. The true test for them will be in Sapporo when they clash directly with P/C. Can't wait! It will be a feast!

I don't think I understand your point... so only competing against P/C is going to help you make up your mind as to their level? It will certainly be a feast as you say but whatever the result of NHK, V/M have already proven their comeback is to be taken seriously. They will keep improving and making adjustments.
As for the scores : what if they beat P/C in NHK... Will you say it's undeserved?

 

[4everchan]

I was at ACI... the emotion from their FD gave me chills. I nearly teared up. It was so fast, powerful and beautiful.

Because they were a lot better there. Nearly perfect. You can begin to see their marks progression. If you just watched them here and came to bash, that's cool too. But the whole picture is a bit different.

 

[kiches]

I was in Mississauga for Skate Canada and had a great, but tiring time, overall. This was my first Grand Prix event, and my third event overall after Boston and Autumn Classic in Montreal. Here are my takes:

• As much as I wanted to attend all the practices (and I made it to most of them), the schedule makes it nearly impossible unless you're willing to eat the bad arena food. Sadly, my group and I missed Rika's SP because we didn't have enough time to get back after driving to get lunch, so we made the decision to skip a practice sessions in order to feed ourselves the next day.
• Lines for the ladies restroom were also really long, I almost didn't make it back before ice resurfacing so I understand folks leaving their seats a bit early to try and beat the crowd so long as the actual performance is over, but I make it a point not to return to my seat if someone else is in the middle of a performance.
• Lines leaving the rink were also long, really wished there was better public transportation or closer hotels so that I could've ditched the car, but at least parking was free.
• I didn't hear any booing, but I may have just missed it, but I DO remember hearing a crying baby for a short period of time.
• They were taking a really long time with announcing certain scores, particularly the ladies. When those instances happened I knew that the scores for that skater was probably going to be low.
• I don't know much about ice dance, but with the point spread after the SD and seeing Tessa and Scott make a mistake on their twizzles in the FD, I had a feeling that Chock and Bates would end up beating them in the FD.
• I had opposite reactions watching Yuzu and Patrick's SP vs FS. Shocked at how Yuzu's SP sort of fell apart at the beginning, then also shocked at the number of mistakes Patrick made in his FS.
• Crowd overall felt very supportive, and applauded everyone. They would also applaud if someone made a mistake to encourage them to get back up again. Sometimes the clapping wasn't always in time to the music though.
• I LOVED being able to watch the gala practice, it was a lot of fun. I also wondered how the skaters were able to get up so early after a long night with the banquet the night before.

 

[rvi5]

I didn't hear any booing, but I may have just missed it, but I DO remember hearing a crying baby for a short period of time.

Accoustics in the arena seemed strange to me. I did not hear a baby cry, but I looked up and saw an oriental man rushing to the top of the stairs carrying a baby. I assume he was trying to get the crying baby away from the audience so as not to disturb everyone. He sat somewhere in the section behind the cluster of photographers. Strangely, I could faintly hear the constant flutter of camera shutters from the photograhers. I was in the section directly across the rink (section 5). I wondered how annoying it must have been for the people sitting directly behind the photographers. I also did not hear any booing. I guess you had to be in their section to hear it. I also found the rink speaker system to be terrible. I don't remember it being that bad in previous years.

 

[kiches]

Accoustics in the arena seemed strange to me. I did not hear a baby cry, but I looked up and saw an oriental man rushing to the top of the stairs carrying a baby. I assume he was trying to get the crying baby away from the audience so as not to disturb everyone. He sat somewhere in the section behind the cluster of photographers. Strangely, I could faintly hear the constant flutter of camera shutters from the photograhers. I was in the section directly across the rink (section 5). I wondered how annoying it must have been for the people sitting directly behind the photographers. I also did not hear any booing. I guess you had to be in their section to hear it. I also found the rink speaker system to be terrible. I don't remember it being that bad in previous years.

Yes I thought the crying baby was coming from my left side which would've been toward the judges.

The sound of camera shutters is very noticeable when it's quiet. You know a Japanese skater is about to skate/practice next when all the photographers and camera people start appearing in the rink. I also saw them filming Mura during practice and I really got a kick out of seeing Nobunari Oda as well. Also thought the music could've been played louder to drown out some of the clapping and other noise, it just didn't seem loud enough no matter where I sat in practice and during the competition.

Also, the announcers butchering both skaters and some of the judges names was funny and a bit sad. During practice they totally butchered Evgenia's last name and she sort of gave them a funny look as to tell them that's not right (all in good fun of course). It was also fun to spot skaters in the audience watching after they were done competing. For instance, Mirai was watching men and dance but seemed to be on her phone most of the time, also saw Brezina, the Chinese ice dance team, Mie Hamada, and Alaine Chartrand watching competition.

 

[humbaba]

now, accordingly to this thread, Skate Canada is rigged... especially Ice Dance, where the Tech Controller was ... erm... American and gave the Americans highest levels... oh well.

erm...the tech specialist calls the levels. If the tech controller disagrees with a call, he/she can't just change it. Each of the three panelists has a vote; majority rules.

Sorry to keep harping on this. It's just that I hate misinformation. Here's a link to the ISU's explanation of the technical panel if anyone's interested..

http://www.isu.org/en/single-and-pair-skating-and-ice-dance/isu-judging-system/introduction

 

[4everchan]

hehe... i know the rules perfectly well.. i just ignore them, as people seem to ignore that judges at ISU competitions come from different countries... and homecooking i.e. overscoring is a very tiring topic for me

tired of reading that Skate Canada does this or that... but hey... cup of Russia is coming up... let's see what happens there

erm...the tech specialist calls the levels. If the tech controller disagrees with a call, he/she can't just change it. Each of the three panelists has a vote; majority rules.

Sorry to keep harping on this. It's just that I hate misinformation. Here's a link to the ISU's explanation of the technical panel if anyone's interested..

http://www.isu.org/en/single-and-pair-skating-and-ice-dance/isu-judging-system/introduction

 

[[email protected]]

but hey... cup of Russia is coming up... let's see what happens there

I hope that no one but diehard russophobes will complain about homecooking at CoR.

Realistically, non-Russian ladies field is weak. The only skater I like is Zijun but she is traditionally "underscored". So the full podium will not be extraordinary if Yulia does not bomb. In men clean Kolyada can win over anyone but Javi. If he falls and wins over clean Shoma that would be a scandal but it won't happen. In pairs no Russian pair will beat clean (almost clean) Alyona. In dance the scandal will be if B/S win over both C/B and W/P. But it won't happen. So I am not sure about my exact prediction but certain that there won't be outrageous outcomes like A/R beating S/M if the latter stay on their feet.

 

[HanDomi]

I hope that no one but diehard russophobes will complain about homecooking at CoR.

Realistically, non-Russian ladies field is weak. The only skater I like is Zijun but she is traditionally "underscored". So the full podium will not be extraordinary if Yulia does not bomb. In men clean Kolyada can win over anyone but Javi. If he falls and wins over clean Shoma that would be a scandal but it won't happen. In pairs no Russian pair will beat clean (almost clean) Alyona. In dance the scandal will be if B/S win over both C/B and W/P. But it won't happen. So I am not sure about my exact prediction but certain that there won't be outrageous outcomes like A/R beating S/M if the latter stay on their feet.

Clean Kolyada can't win with Shoma even with mistakes

 

[4everchan]

I hope that no one but diehard russophobes will complain about homecooking at CoR.

Realistically, non-Russian ladies field is weak. The only skater I like is Zijun but she is traditionally "underscored". So the full podium will not be extraordinary if Yulia does not bomb. In men clean Kolyada can win over anyone but Javi. If he falls and wins over clean Shoma that would be a scandal but it won't happen. In pairs no Russian pair will beat clean (almost clean) Alyona. In dance the scandal will be if B/S win over both C/B and W/P. But it won't happen. So I am not sure about my exact prediction but certain that there won't be outrageous outcomes like A/R beating S/M if the latter stay on their feet.

wow... then, accordingly to your statement, lots of diehard canadianophobes around

 

[apgold]

The sound of camera shutters is very noticeable when it's quiet. You know a Japanese skater is about to skate/practice next when all the photographers and camera people start appearing in the rink.

I was sitting next to the KnC and the photographers were to my left. When I first heard the shutter noise, it sounded like ocean waves and at first I thought it was a sound effect from one of the skater's music. Then it dawned on me that it was the photographers, lol. This is only my second live competition and I was sitting too high up at Worlds to hear any shutters.

 

[chuckm]

I hope that no one but diehard russophobes will complain about homecooking at CoR.

Realistically, non-Russian ladies field is weak. The only skater I like is Zijun but she is traditionally "underscored". So the full podium will not be extraordinary if Yulia does not bomb. In men clean Kolyada can win over anyone but Javi. If he falls and wins over clean Shoma that would be a scandal but it won't happen. In pairs no Russian pair will beat clean (almost clean) Alyona. In dance the scandal will be if B/S win over both C/B and W/P. But it won't happen. So I am not sure about my exact prediction but certain that there won't be outrageous outcomes like A/R beating S/M if the latter stay on their feet.

I believe your assumptions are pretty accurate, but I think Shoma even if not 100% clean can still beat Kolyada. The only question in ladies is who will medal if Yulia bombs, but yes, Ladies is the only possible sweep. In Pairs, the Germans, Canadians S/B and one Russian will medal. The obvious medalists in dance are C/B, W/P and B/S in some order but I too would be shocked if B/S were on top.

 

[TGee]

I hope that no one but diehard russophobes will complain about homecooking at CoR.

Realistically, non-Russian ladies field is weak. The only skater I like is Zijun but she is traditionally "underscored". So the full podium will not be extraordinary if Yulia does not bomb. In men clean Kolyada can win over anyone but Javi. If he falls and wins over clean Shoma that would be a scandal but it won't happen. In pairs no Russian pair will beat clean (almost clean) Alyona. In dance the scandal will be if B/S win over both C/B and W/P. But it won't happen. So I am not sure about my exact prediction but certain that there won't be outrageous outcomes like A/R beating S/M if the latter stay on their feet.

You've left out Elizabet TurSynbaeva of Kazakhstan.

She's an incredibly determined competitor, and she was visibly dissatisfied with her Challenger outing at the Autumn Classic. Bronze and a podium finish clearly did not compensate for a FS that didn't meet her own expectations.

From the Instagram gifs she's posted since then of her landing quads and quad combos, it looks like she's putting her dissatisfaction into intensive training at Toronto Cricket.

And her experience and seasoning as a violin prodigy, seems to be serving her well as she's transitioned to seniors.

So, I'm not convinced that her achieving the podium would rely on one of the Russian women making errors....My sense is she's really pressing to be a contender in her own right this season.

And I believe sincerely that a judging panel at the cup of Russia will consider her fairly...

 

[chuckm]

I thought Tursynbaeva might be a medalist if Yulia should bomb. Yes, Elizabet is a tough competitor, but she is human, too and nerves do get to her, so like Yulia she doesn't usually deliver two clean performances. Zijun Li is charming but slow as molasses and she is a chronic underrotator. Rajicova doesn't have the technical chops. Hicks has the jumps but often can't control her own power.

 

[sabinfire]

I attended both SA & SC this year, back-to-back. I had a great time at SA. As for SC, not so much.

My first (and biggest) complaint was in my section of seating. I sat in section 7, opposite judges side, great view from center. Unfortunately, I quickly discovered there was some type of 'VIP lounge' area on the upper level behind section 7, separated from the audience only by a thin black curtain. This VIP lounge was not accessible to regular ticket-holders. There always seemed to be a high volume of noise coming from this area, including the constant murmur of conversations, sharp bursts of loud laughter, and the constant clanking of dishes/silverware. It literally sounded like there was a full-service restaurant running back there. Most of this occurred in the middle of competition while skaters were on the ice. At a couple points, I heard the dropping of dishes on the floor and shattering of glass. I'm pretty sure the noise carried further than just my immediate area, because I saw several people sitting 5+ rows in front of me who turned around to check where the sounds of breaking glass and bursts of laughter were originating.

Food options were terrible. It's an arena and I wasn't expecting much. Most options were pre-packaged and barely edible. One of the few 'fresh' food items were the hot dogs, and they were absolutely terrible. Concessions were frequently overwhelmed, understaffed, and under-stocked. Equipment didn't always work. I had problems buying a can of beer w/ cash during the gala because the person running the stand 'couldn't log in' to their station. The arena was in the middle of nowhere, so leaving would require at least a car (as well as missing a portion of the event). Looked like hundreds of folks (especially Japanese) were being bused in every day and had nowhere to go.

Washrooms were poorly maintained and often gross. The lines (especially for ladies) were atrocious, and hadn't cleared even during the duration of an ice resurfacing.

The arena seating area itself was never cleaned over the course of the day. Trash and bottles accumulated all over the place beginning in the morning and were still there later that night.

Traffic was bad leaving on Friday night. Total gridlock in the area in and around the parking lot. Took me an hour to get out of it. Traffic was okay for the remaining nights.

I heard booing during the Free Dance session, but never at any other time over the weekend. At various times, I also heard the crying of an infant or the clicking of cameras. None of it seemed to be originating in my immediate section though. Quite honestly, I'd have preferred to sit closer to all the other sounds v.s. the noise of the party going on in the restricted lounge behind me all weekend.

I clocked a new personal record in Mississauga: I was in the arena on Saturday from 7 AM in the morning till midnight, without ever leaving!